If you care for a special needs child, then you can understand the frustration of trying to find a school district, curriculum, and learning system that works for them. Traditional public schools, although they are required to accommodate special needs, have a bad reputation for falling short when it comes to supporting special needs students with their unique learning needs.
As a result, many caregivers are forced to look elsewhere for education for their special needs children. Thankfully, there are plenty of options available for families that want the best educational opportunity for their children with special needs.
In this post, we are going to explore some of the options that caregivers have when it comes to specialized education for their children.
Challenges of Public School for Special Needs
As many caregivers have discovered, many public schools simply don’t meet the needs of children with special needs. Although they receive funding to provide special needs services, many times the funding is not enough or is not well spent and the children suffer. While some public school districts are known to provide outstanding learning experiences for special needs students, this is sadly not the majority. Some of the challenges we hear when speaking to parents and caregivers of special needs children who attend public school are as follows.
Lack of Individualized Attention
Many traditional public school settings are overcrowded and teachers are responsible for too many students to provide each one of them the individualized attention that they need and deserve. As a result, special needs children often get lost in the shuffle and their unique needs are overlooked.
Inadequate Resources
Public schools are notoriously underfunded, which means that they often lack the resources that are necessary to properly educate special needs children. This includes things like trained special education teachers, aides, and support services. Many times public schools will not have the equipment or learning tools that your child requires.
Inaccessible Facilities
Public schools are required to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), but many of them fall short in this area. This results in special needs children having to contend with inaccessible facilities, making it difficult or impossible for them to participate in school activities. Underfunded public schools may be afforded “extensions” to their requirements for accessibility, which is a detriment to special needs students attending school there today.
Bullying
Unfortunately, bullying is a big problem in large public schools and special needs children are often the target. When a child is different from their peers, they may not have the same social or communication skills. As a result, they can be easy targets for bullies. Many public schools lack the resources to monitor bullying the way they should.
Limited Curriculum
Public schools are required to teach to the average, which means that the curriculum is not specialized enough for children who learn differently. This can make it difficult for them to progress and learn at a pace that is consistent with their development. Public school also may not offer in-school programs such as occupational therapy and other advanced educational services that accompany physical therapy and education.
Now that we’ve gone over some of the challenges of public school for special needs children, let’s take a look at some of the alternative education options that are available.
Private Schools with Special Education Services
Private school can be ideal for children with special needs for a number of reasons. First, private schools are often able to provide individualized attention that public schools cannot. This is because they have smaller class sizes, aloowing teachers to focus on each child’s individual needs.
Private schools also typically have more resources than public schools. With financial budgets specifically geared towards accommodations, they are able to provide specialized resources like experienced special education teachers, aides, and support services.
In addition, private schools are not bound by the same regulations as public schools. This means that they can design their curriculum and facilities to meet the needs of their students. They are not beholden to the rigidity that comes with the Disabilities Education Act because they are a private school and not part of a public school district. Rather, they are able to customize a child’s learning experience depending on their unique needs and challenges.
Private schools are not always the perfect solution, but they are often a better route for children with special needs than public schools. If the cost of public school is an obstacle for your family, special needs children are eligible for scholarships and vouchers to offset the cost of private school when public schools are unable to meet their needs. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, in Florida is one such example.
Charter Schools for Individualized Education Program
Another option that you have as a caregiver to a special needs child is a charter school. Technically considered public schools, charter schools are specialized schools that have more freedom when it comes to their curriculum and operations. If your child attends a public school and has special needs that require related services, they must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed to support their learning. The IEP provides an opportunity for teachers and special services staff to work together with caregivers and administration towards a unified education goal to improve both long and short term outcomes. The IEP is essential to a special needs child receiving a high-quality education.
Like private schools, charter schools often have smaller class sizes and more resources. Their ability to provide individualized attention and support to their students is improved.
If you live in a school district with a charter school designed for special needs learning experiences, schedule a tour and gather information about whether this will be a viable option for your family.
The charter school featured below is a special needs focused school that is part of the KIPP DC network of charter schools in Washington, DC that focus on educating underserved students.
Homeschooling
Homeschooling is another popular option for caregivers with special needs children because it allows you to have complete control over your child’s education. Families who homeschool their special needs children can tailor the curriculum to meet their child’s unique educational needs, provide them with one-on-one attention, and create the learning environment that is best for them.
Homeschooling is not right for every family, but it is definitely an option to consider if you have a special needs child. If you are concerned about your child not having enough socialization, most areas have several homeschool groups where children come together to play and even take field trips.
Special Needs Schools
If you want to be guaranteed that a school will meet the needs of your child, then consider a special needs schools. These private schools are specifically designed and funded to meet the needs of children with special needs. Since the only students in attendance are students with differing needs, special needs schools have the resources, high trained and specialized staff, and facilities to provide an education that is tailored to your child’s individual educational and developmental needs.
Special Needs schools are not always easy to find, but if there is one in your area, they can be a great option for families with special needs children.
Related: What Are The Best Education Models For Kids With Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Montessori Schools
Montesorri schools are becoming an increasingly popular option for caregivers with special needs children. This is because the Montessori method offers a unique approach to education that focuses less on memorization, and more on developing life skills and learning in a hands-on and developmentally appropriate way.
Children with special needs often thrive in a Montessori setting because they are permitted to advance at their own developmental pace. Montessori schools don’t focus specifically on educating children with special needs, but families often find that these schools are much more accommodating than traditional public schools for their children because they offer a more child-led learning style.
One challenge of Montessori schools is that admissions is sometimes a challenge, as they are in high demand. If there is a Montessori school in your area that you feel will meet the needs of your child, you can ask to be placed on the wait list if there are no immediate openings available.
Although it may feel daunting at times, there are a number of education options available to caregivers with special needs children. These include private schools, charter and magnet schools, homeschooling, special needs schools, and Montessori schools. Each option has its own set of pros and cons, so it is important to do your research in order to find the best fit for your child.
Whichever route you choose, the most important thing is that you make sure that your child’s needs are being met and that they are getting the best education possible. You are their first and sometimes only advocate.